Every year during the holidays people are reminded to be with loved ones, appreciate good friendships, and to be kind to those around you. Mel and myself got together with Instagram couple Victoria and Peter and decided we would do a couples night out. Dinner at Bosk, an enjoyable night of ballet at The Nutcracker, overnight stay at the Shangri-la, and what would a night stay at a nice hotel be without breakfast in bed.
Starting out our day decked out in Bench for that comfy life! We couldn’t leave before kicking off a game or two of FIFA 17, as has become almost tradition every time Peter and I see each other. After getting my ass handed to me by the players of Borussia Dortmund, We made our way to the Shangri-La.
The experience at the Shangri-la I must say is unrivalled! From the moment we got there and valet our car to checking in, ordering room service, and checking out was perfect. The service was impeccable, all of the staff was attentive, and extremely helpful with any requests or concerns we had for them. The attention to detail laid down the framework for an amazing experience that night.
After checking in we all go settled into our rooms with great views of university avenue through large floor to ceiling bay windows lining the front of the room. Controlling everything in the room from the lights to the curtains via in-room Ipad kept me entertained for a good 15 min haha. A large Marble laid bathroom with a standup shower and deep inset tub made for excellent Instagram photos. All in all one of the better experiences I’ve had at a hotel.
Both Peter and I picked up suits at Le Chateau for this holiday shindig. I decided to go classic and rocked out with a black suit, black tie, and suspenders. It was nice to see they carried proper suspenders that button in instead of the crappy clip on ones I am accustomed to seeing. It made me feel 1940’s gangster haha.
After getting suited up in Peter came by the room and we decided to share a few nice glasses of Craigellachie single malt scotch whiskey to wet the whistle before we headed down for dinner! A tasty number with clove and apple undertones, with a bit of fire to finish it off, it was a nice way to get the night started. There is nothing quite like sharing a glass of goodness and just hanging out having a few laughs and reflecting on life and all its nuances. These are the moments I live for, memories forged by the glass, with fantastic company just enjoying the subtleties of life.
Heading downstairs walking through the bustling lobby bar area, lounges full with laughing couples and varied groups of friends enjoying the beginning of the night with good strong drinks, perhaps a bottle of champaign enjoying each others company. We arrived at Bosk and were promptly seated at our table, next to a glass case wall filled with a great selection of varied wines from around the world.
Our waiter arrived shortly after we were seated to inquire about drinks, as well as giving us a brief yet informative rundown of house specials as well as personal recommendations of popular dishes on the menu. Once he left the floor manager came by and treated us to a complimentary glass of champaign, which was a nice opener for the meal ahead so it was much appreciated! We all placed our orders and got ready to eat some delicious treats. I started off with the Northern Divine Caviar which included uni, cucumber, bacon, egg, brioche. Delicately displayed on a small dish this was the perfect mixture of flavours complimenting each other, coming together wonderfully in a refreshing savoury goodness.
Next came my Grilled Octopus with shishito peppers, charred corn, chorizo romesco sauce. There are few things that get me as excited as a good plate of seafood, octopus one of my favourites with done right. Tender, cooked to perfection, the texture of the octopus mixed with the refreshing shishito peppers and romesco sauce just sent my palette straight to happy town. In between bites enjoying great banter with some of my favourite people, I think made the meal even better.
Duo of Ontario Lamb with crispy sweetbreads, forest mushroom, cabbage green pepper lamb jus was my main for the night. As far as protein goes, lamb is up there with elk and bison for me. Perfectly cooked at medium rare with all of the sides doing their jobs to compliment the natural flavours from the lamb. DELICIOUS.
Not being a big sweets guy, I opted out of dessert deciding to go back to my roots and order up a double espresso and a glass of brandy to finish off the night.
Next up we headed across the street to The Four Seasons Centre to watch THE NUTCRACKER!
what kind of holiday outing would this be if we didn’t go enjoy some classic ballet and the plethora of Christmas songs that came from it. It was very enjoyable and for any one who hasn’t seen it, I would urge to go check it out. Talented dancers, a love story, and some humour thrown in made for the perfect way to end the night!
The only way to end out a great night with amazing people filled with banter, laughs, good food and drink, is of course with room service breakfast in bed! So be grateful, not just during the holidays but all year round for the amazing people you have in your life and the joy they bring into your life!
~ LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH
